How to learn about your South Carolina license is suspended right now
You can check your license status through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) website without visiting an office or calling. The fastest way is to use the SCDMV's online license status lookup tool at scdmv.org. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to search.
If you prefer to speak with someone directly, you can call the SCDMV at 803-896-5000 during business hours. Have your license number ready. You can also visit a local SCDMV office in person, though this takes longer and requires you to know your office location and hours.
The online tool tells you when ready whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked. If it shows a suspension, the tool usually displays the reason and the date the suspension began — this information helps you understand what happened and what you need to do next.
Key Takeaways
- The SCDMV online license status lookup at scdmv.org is the fastest way to check if your license is suspended, and you only need your license number and date of birth.
- A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid; you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted, even if you have the physical card.
- Common reasons for suspension in South Carolina include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, and accumulating too many points from traffic violations.
- Once you know the reason for your suspension, you will need to resolve that specific issue — paying fines, attending court, or completing a required program — before you can request reinstatement.
- The SCDMV charges a reinstatement fee (the amount varies depending on the reason for suspension) when you are ready to restore your driving privileges.
What the online lookup tool shows you
When you search your license status, the SCDMV system displays one of three outcomes: active, suspended, or revoked. An active license means you can legally drive. A suspended license means your driving privileges are temporarily taken away — you cannot drive, and driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in South Carolina.
If your license is suspended, the lookup tool shows the suspension reason code. Common codes include "FTA" (failure to appear in court), "FTP" (failure to pay fines), "DWLS" (driving with a suspended license), and codes related to child support or insurance violations. The tool may also show the suspension start date, though not always the end date — that depends on what action you need to take to lift it.
A revoked license is different from a suspension: revocation is permanent or long-term and usually follows multiple suspensions or serious violations. If your license is revoked, you will need to go through a formal reinstatement process with the SCDMV, not just pay a fee.
Why your license might be suspended in South Carolina
South Carolina suspends licenses for many reasons, and the cause determines what you must do to get it back. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a court date, accumulating 12 or more points on your driving record within three years, and violations related to child support or insurance.
The SCDMV also suspends licenses for medical reasons — if you have a condition that makes you unsafe to drive and you do not report it, or if you fail a medical evaluation. Suspensions can also result from drug or alcohol convictions, refusing a breath test, or being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).
Administrative suspensions happen when you do not pay your vehicle registration, do not maintain required insurance, or do not respond to a traffic ticket. These are often the easiest to resolve because they usually require only payment or proof of compliance.
Steps to take after you confirm a suspension
Once you know your license is suspended and why, your next step depends on the reason. If the suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay what you owe to the court or the SCDMV. Contact the court listed on your ticket or the SCDMV directly to confirm the exact amount and where to send payment.
If you failed to appear in court, you must contact the court that issued the warrant and resolve the case — this may mean appearing in person, paying a fine, or working out a payment plan. Do not ignore this; failure to appear is a separate offense and can lead to arrest.
If your suspension is related to points on your driving record, you cannot straightforward pay a fee to remove points. Instead, you may be required to complete a defensive driving course, which can reduce points and sometimes lower insurance rates. The SCDMV website lists approved courses.
For child support or insurance-related suspensions, you must contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services (for child support) or provide proof of insurance to the SCDMV. Once the underlying issue is resolved, you can request reinstatement.
How to request reinstatement of your license
After you have resolved the reason for your suspension — paid fines, appeared in court, completed a required course, or provided proof of compliance — you must formally request reinstatement from the SCDMV. You cannot straightforward start driving again; the suspension remains on your record until you take this step.
You can request reinstatement online through the SCDMV website, by mail, or in person at an SCDMV office. The online method is fastest. You will need to pay a reinstatement fee; the amount depends on the reason for suspension and ranges from around $100 to $250, though this varies. The SCDMV website lists the exact fee for your situation.
When you submit your reinstatement request, include proof that you have resolved the suspension cause — a receipt showing payment, a court document, proof of insurance, or a certificate of course completion. Without this proof, your request will be denied.
Processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days after the SCDMV receives your request and verifies that the suspension cause has been resolved. You will receive written confirmation when your license is reinstated.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in South Carolina is a criminal offense separate from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $200 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $200 to $300 and up to 60 days in jail.
If you are stopped by law enforcement and your license is suspended, you will be cited, your vehicle may be impounded, and you face court costs in addition to fines and possible jail time. This makes the situation much worse than straightforward resolving the original suspension cause.
If you need to drive before your suspension is lifted — for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons — you may be able to request a provisional license or hardship license from the SCDMV. This is not automatic and requires you to show genuine hardship. Contact the SCDMV to ask whether you may have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
South Carolina does allow hardship licenses in some cases, but availability depends on the reason for suspension. Suspensions for DUI or refusal to take a breath test generally do not may have access to for hardship licenses. For other suspensions, you must show that you have a genuine need to drive — such as work or medical treatment — and that you have resolved or are actively resolving the suspension cause. Contact the SCDMV to ask whether your situation qualifies.
How long does a suspension last if I do nothing?
This depends entirely on the reason for suspension. Some suspensions are automatic and lift after a set period if you do nothing — for example, a suspension for accumulating points may lift after three years. Others, like suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear, remain in place indefinitely until you take action. Check your suspension reason on the SCDMV website to understand whether waiting will resolve it or whether you must act.
Will my suspension show up on background checks?
Yes. A suspended license is part of your driving record and will appear on background checks run by employers, landlords, and others who check driving history. This is one reason to resolve a suspension as soon as you discover it — the longer it stays on your record, the more it may affect job or housing opportunities.
What if the SCDMV website says my license is suspended but I never received notice?
Suspensions can happen without you receiving a formal letter, especially if the SCDMV does not have your current mailing address. Administrative suspensions for unpaid fines or insurance lapses often occur this way. Contact the SCDMV directly to confirm the reason and what you owe. Do not assume the suspension is a mistake — driving while suspended is still illegal even if you did not know about it.
Can I appeal a suspension I think is wrong?
Yes. If you believe your suspension was issued in error — for example, you paid a fine but the SCDMV did not record it, or you appeared in court but the court did not notify the SCDMV — you can request a hearing. Contact the SCDMV to file a formal appeal and request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Bring documentation proving your case, such as payment receipts or court records.